during a career that spanned seven decades, has died.

The “center of gravity of the world is shifting toward Asia,” he said. “The Asian church has much to give to the world.”At 80, Gracias won’t be participating in the conclave, but India has four cardinal-electors, and overall Asia counts 23, making it the second-biggest voting bloc after Europe, which has 53 (or likely 52, given that one is not expected to participate for health reasons).

Pope Francis meets a group of faithful from China at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)Pope Francis meets a group of faithful from China at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)One of the big geopolitical issues facing the cardinals is China and the plight of the estimated 12 million Chinese Catholics there.

Under Francis, the Vatican in 2018 inked awith Beijing governing the appointment of bishops, which many conservatives decried as a sellout of the underground Chinese Catholics who had remained loyal to Rome during decades of communist persecution. The Vatican has defended the accord as the best deal it could get, but it remains to be seen if Francis’ successor will keep the policy.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu arrives to celebrate Mass at his titular church, San Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa three days before the conclave to elect the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, in Rome, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu arrives to celebrate Mass at his titular church, San Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa three days before the conclave to elect the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, in Rome, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)The S&P 500 lost 6% Friday after

in tariffs announced earlier this week. The move increased the stakes inthat could end with a recession.

Associated Press writer Josh Funk contributed to this report.Find AP Fact Checks here: